Welcome back! We are on part 3/5 of our series, “Networking like a B.O.S.S.!” If you’ve been following along, I’ve been giving you tips and tricks for how to network as a creative, using B.O.S.S. as an acronym to make these ideas easy to remember.

Yesterday, we discussed the importance of “Bringing your Business Card” {the B of B.O.S.S.) and how a well-designed card can do the talking for you {which can be extremely important for the introverted networker}.

Today, we will be discussing the “O” in B.O.S.S. which is “Organizing your Time” as you network like a boss at conferences, events and the like.

But before I begin, I’ll let you in on a little secret:

Although I am a member of the “extroverted writer’s club,” even I can get overwhelmed at the thought of “networking” at a large event. If I can feel that way, I can only imagine the hesitancy/concerns/fears of my more introverted colleagues and clients. Talking about your work and what it means can be hard for several reasonons: it is so much a part of who you are and what you do and how you feel.

Networking can be a beast for the extrovert and introvert alike!

But have no fear. Because today, I am going to give you the tips I have learned on how to organize your time when you enter a large room of people, hopefully alleviating some of the fear and uncertainty. So, let’s consider the T.I.M.E. you have when you enter a networking event of any sort.

T- Transcend the RoomI- Initiate the ConversationM- Mix it Up {don’t Monopolize}E- Execute the Follow Through

So here we go!

Transcend the Room- In order to maximize and organize your time when entering an event, you need to transcend the room by getting in the right space mentally.

TIP 1: Prepare yourself mentally by seeing the room for what it is. Don’t overwhelm yourself with the amount of people in the room. Look at each person as an individual you can talk to one-on-one or in small groups. And if it helps you, give yourself a small goal of talking to a certain amount of people or collecting a certain amount of business cards. If you pass your goal, keep going! As discussed yesterday, have your business card ready, because you can use it as a talking point.

TIP 2: Transcend the room by remembering that most likely everyone else is as nervous {if not more nervous} than you are! Upon entering the room, take deep breaths, smile {even if you don’t feel like it} and use body language that indicates you are willing to listen. These small things will make you approachable, allowing you to get the most out of your time.

2. INITIATE the Conversation- I know, I know. That is so much easier said than done. You’re an introvert, you say. But conversations won’t happen by themselves. Remember, you are prepared with a business card, and you already have a job to do…which is…

TIP 1- ASK THE PERSON WHAT THEY DO! I kid you not—this is literally how I approach people. I walk up and say, “So, tell me what you’re working on? I’d love to hear about it.” Often times I don’t even say “hello” or “nice day out.” Being direct cuts to the chase, allows you to avoid small talk, and people appreciate a direct question they can answer.

TIP 2- Focus your question/conversation around the topic of the conference—whatever that may be. This immediately removes the guesswork on what to discuss.

3. MIX IT UP {don’t monopolize one person’s time!} Often times, my introverted clients and colleagues tell me that when they attend these events, they pick out the most approachable person in the room, and hang out with them the whole time. DO NOT DO IT!

TIP 1- When organizing your time at an event, you want to make the most of it by making meaningful connections with as many people as you can. Have a good conversation, but don’t camp out there {unless you have met a producer/agent/investor who wants to work out a deal}. I say 5-10 minutes is a good amount of time to stay in one place.

TIP 2- So, you have approached someone, and now they are talking you’re ear off. How do you gracefully exit in order to move on to the next person? You can be honest and say, “It was so nice chatting, but there are a few more people I need to talk with, but let’s stay in touch!” or if you can’t be that direct, you can say, “Please excuse me, but I’m going to go grab some water.” And then on your way to said water…strike up another conversation! The more people you meet, the larger your network and base for your platform can become.

And FINALLY in organizing your time:

4. EXECUTE THE FOLLOW THROUGH! Your time networking will have been a waste if you don’t follow up with the people you met and the cards you collected.

TIP 1-E-MAIL them as soon as possible. I try to reach out within a week of meeting them, but the sooner the better! They will remember you because your business card made such a good impression! And then your conversation can continue.

TIP 2-Put THE EVENT YOU MET THEM AT in the subject line of the e-mail. This way, it will help the person you are reaching out to mentally recall when and where you met, allowing the conversation to be more productiveTIP 3- ACKNOWLEDGE them in the e-mail. You can acknowledge them in multiple ways. Here are some ideas: express that you enjoyed speaking with them! If you were impressed with their work or accomplishments, tell them so. If you feel that there is something you could learn from them, ask if they’d be willing to mentor you in that area.

This acknowledgment will seal the deal in terms of a good contact, I promise! Everyone appreciates and loves being acknowledged!

Now you are prepared to organize your time when you are networking “like a boss.”

Tomorrow, we will discuss how to SELL (the “S” in B.O.S.S.) yourself when networking. It is an important skill that proves to be invaluable to writers and creatives.